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More than 200 jobs are set to be lost at the UK's largest producer of electric water heating products with the closure of its factory in Norwich.

The potential closure of Heatrae Sadia's site in the city was announced by its parent company Baxi Heating UK.

The firm said it was transferring the production of water cylinders and electric water heaters from Norwich to its site in Preston.

It said it recognised the "significant implications" for its workforce.

The company put the number of proposed job losses at 204, and said in a statement: "We firmly believe that... [the closure plans] are necessary to make the company stronger and to place it in the best position to face the future challenges and opportunities in the UK's heating industry.

"These proposals, if implemented following consultation, will, regrettably, result in significant job losses and the closure of the Norwich site."

'A surprise'

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith called on the company to deal with the closure as sympathetically as possible.

She said: "It has come as a surprise to me and my first response is to feel for the staff who will have to go through a very anxious and uncertain period.

"This is really disappointing for them but also for Norwich more broadly and I will be standing by to do what I can as a constituency MP."